Chamberlain proposed this concept because of the current helplessness of Britain's strength. As a veteran Imperialist countries, Britain has actually not seen a serious decline in its various strengths and is still a world power and power.
However, the four "superpowers" he mentioned are larger, more populous, and developing faster than the UK, which puts the UK in a very embarrassing position.
"Germany is the only industrial power in Europe with a population of over 100 million. Its industry ranks first in Europe. It is the most powerful country in Europe and a major power in the world."
"The European order needs Germany to set an example. After all, on the one hand, Europe is facing the threat from the Soviet Union to the free world, and on the other hand, we are also facing competition from countries outside Europe."
"Compared to before the 20th century, Europe as a whole is actually in decline now, especially in East Africa, where powerful countries outside Europe such as United States and Japan are rising."
With greater ability comes greater responsibility. What Chamberlain meant was nothing more than wanting Germany to stand up and take on more responsibilities.
There is certainly nothing wrong with this, but why does Germany do this?
Adolf spoke at this time, "Prime Minister Chamberlain, the superpower you proposed is very interesting, but let Germany ensure the security of Europe and compete with East Africa, United States and other countries outside Europe. Why should we do this?"
"As Prime Minister Benito said before, the distribution of interests of emerging countries like us in the world, even just in Europe, is unreasonable."
"Even if it is the police's job to catch thieves, the prerequisite is that someone can pay them, which is also a reasonable demand for the police profession itself."
"As the saying goes, you can't let the horse run without giving the horse grass to eat. Whether Germany can shoulder more responsibilities depends on whether Germany's status and interests in the world are equal."
After going around and around, Adolf still expressed his attitude. This was obviously what he had discussed with Benito before.
To bring Britain and France over, apart from demonstrations, they naturally wanted benefits. Adolf didn't want to speak directly, so he asked Benito to play dumb. As a result, British didn't accept the offer at all.
Then Adolf had no choice but to speak clearly on his own.
As for Benito being in a bad mood during the military parade, this is actually true. He and Adolf did discuss how to deal with Britain and France, but that was before Italy came to Warsaw.
After arriving in Warsaw, the strong military strength displayed by Germany and the military might of the German Army made him feel a little unbalanced.
This ambivalent mentality has always been with Benito after Adolf successfully became the leader of Germany.
After all, Benito is the originator of Extreme Nationalist Party, but after Germany's turn, especially after the annexation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the dominance of Axis powers was increasingly held by Germany.
Italy looks more and more like a German follower, which makes Benito feel uncomfortable, but he can only hold his nose and admit it.
The performance of the Wilanów Palace and Benito was obviously much more active than during the military parade. In terms of military strength, Italy is not as good as Germany. This is an established fact and difficult to change.
But in such a solemn place for diplomatic activities and personal style display, Benito believes that he should play a more important role.
"Prime Minister Chamberlain, I think what Prime Minister Adolf said is very reasonable. The situation in Europe is now very clear, that is, Axis powers, as the leader of European affairs, does not enjoy its due status, and the matching related interests are also unreasonable."
"Therefore, in order to safeguard Europe's freedom and overall interests, we should redistribute the interests of Europe and related regions."
Wilanów Palace, because of the conversation between the three of them, the atmosphere seemed to have turned cold instantly.
At this time, Chamberlain glanced at France's Bonnet Foreign Ministry. Bonnet's brows were also furrowed. Adolf and Benito looked confident. The silence of the four of them formed a sharp contrast with the noise of the others next to them.
Chamberlain complained in his heart about the silence of his French teammates. In fact, Foreign Minister Bonnet had no choice. After all, among the four, he was the only one who was not the leader of his country.
Naturally, he is lower in status than the other three. After all, he is not Prime Minister of France, so he can more easily decide France's attitude.
"So how do Germany and Italy think Europe's interests should be redistributed now?" Chamberlain could only continue to test it in person.
He continued, "Now in Europe, you Axis powers actually occupy most of the voice and sphere of influence."
"From Iberian Peninsula in the west to Balkans area in the east, Baltic Sea in the north to the Mediterranean Sea in the south, Axis powers occupies almost the entire Central and Eastern Europe area and southern Europe."
"Moreover, Britain and France have made many proactive compromises and concessions to Axis powers, which has released the goodwill of our two countries."
"Including tacitly agreeing to the unification of Italy, the merger of Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire, and favoring you in Spanish Civil War."
At this time, Chamberlain's tone seemed a little hasty, but it could be seen that what Chamberlain said was true.
In recent years, Britain and France have indeed made compromises with Germany and Italy on many interests. If the two countries really go against Axis powers, then just because Germany wants to annex Austro-Hungarian Empire, I am afraid there will be some more twists and turns.
Benito stood up again at this time and said, "Prime Minister Chamberlain, don't be excited!"
"We Italy and Germany are naturally willing to maintain friendly relations with the United Kingdom, but the current situation in Europe does require the efforts of our two countries and the entire Axis powers Group."
"So we are not just for our own selfish interests, but from the perspective of safeguarding the entire European interests. On this basis, isn't it reasonable for European countries to give some compensation to our two countries?"
In the case of Benito, to put it bluntly, Britain and France have not provided enough chips and they have to continue to add money.
What a scoundrel! This was what Chamberlain was thinking at this time.
Chamberlain looked down upon Benito's background. After all, everyone knew that Prime Minister Italy's family background was not high.
Benito is truly from the bottom of the society, and most of Britain and France's leaders have prominent backgrounds, such as Chamberlain. His family is considered an elite family in the UK, with influence spread throughout the British business and political circles. His father has served as Mayor of Birmingham, British Trade Secretary and Colonial Secretary and other important positions.
Chamberlain's half-brother also served as the British Postmaster General, Finance Minister, and the Secretary of State for India, Foreign Minister.
With the support of his family, it is not surprising that Chamberlain can sit in the position of Prime Minister of the Great British Empire.
Judging from the brilliant resumes of his father and brothers, as long as Chamberlain does not have too many flaws in his ability to deal with people, he can definitely enter the British cabinet.
In contrast, the path of Benito's rise is the real path of counterattack. However, precisely because of the lack of foundation, after Benito became the leader of Italy, he naturally and inevitably continued the practices of his youth in politics and diplomacy.
To put it mildly, Benito was a social gangster when he was young, and this was what the established European aristocrats and elites had the most trouble with when dealing with him.
Benito does not talk about the unspoken rules and traditions of traditional European political elites. In fact, Adolf does the same thing.
Benito continued at this time, "Prime Minister Chamberlain, our demands are actually not many. In order to better fight against the enemies of the free world and safeguard the overall interests of Europe."
"The United Kingdom and France should clearly recognize the leadership position of Germany and Italy in Europe, and correspondingly, we must also fight for our reasonable demands on the division of European interests."
"Especially when it comes to the division of interests among European countries and related colonies, I think Prime Minister Adolf also has this idea."
After openly asking for benefits, Benito turned the topic over to Adolf, because if he wanted to take something out of the hands of Britain and France, only Germany could do it.
Benito knows very well that Germany is the real protagonist of this meeting. Italy can only follow Germany to gain some benefits. This is determined by the gap in national power between the two countries.
Without Germany's intervention, how could Britain and France pay any attention to Italy, let alone hand over their own interests?
Adolf said, "Your Excellency Chamberlain, I know Benito. He himself has this kind of straightforward character and is straightforward, so you can be more tolerant."
"But Benito's words are indeed often rough and rude, and his words also express my inner thoughts."
You bastard! Who doesn't know that you and Benito are in cahoots? Chamberlain cursed in his heart.
He still suppressed the discomfort in his heart and said, "So Prime Minister Adolf, what new views does Germany have on the current distribution of interests in Europe?"
Adolf said without humility at all, "The biggest security risk in Europe now is the Soviet Union, so I think that in the distribution of interests in Europe and even related regions, a new design should be developed around the Soviet Union."
"So in addition to Britain and France fully recognizing Germany's hegemony over Central and Eastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean, we also hope to take over Middle Eastern region's dominance in politics and other fields."
Adolf's words instantly made Chamberlain's face look uglier. Britain actually doesn't care much about Central and Eastern Europe hegemony, because Germany is now the de facto overlord of the Central and Eastern Europe region.
When it comes to Middle Eastern region, it is really cutting the flesh of the UK, because in Middle Eastern region, the UK does have huge real interests and profound influence.
Now in the entire Middle Eastern region, there are mainly four companies, namely East Africa, Britain, Germany and Soviet Union, and Adolf. It is obviously impossible to blackmail anything from East Africa or the Soviet Union, and it is impossible for the two countries to agree to such requests.
Then Germany's purpose is very clear, which is to annex Britain's sphere of influence in the Middle East.
Britain's interests and sphere of influence in the Middle East are not small. If Egypt is included, it is not an exaggeration to say that Britain's sphere of influence in the Middle East ranks first.
Of course, Egypt obviously belongs to the UK's bottom line and concerns Suez Canal, the chokepoint of global trade.
In addition to Egypt, the British sphere of influence in the Middle East cannot be underestimated, such as the east coast of the Red Sea, the north coast of Gulf of Aden, the coast of Persian Gulf, and the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea, including Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus.
The position of Cyprus is relatively unique, but many people are accustomed to classify Cyprus as Middle Eastern region.
Judging from the distribution of Britain's sphere of influence, it can be seen that Britain has almost included most of the coastal areas in the Middle East.
If Germany obtains these areas, plus Ottoman Empire, a country that is considered part of Germany's sphere of influence, Germany will become the most important leader in Middle Eastern region almost instantly, and even gain an advantage over East Africa and the Soviet Union.
Chamberlain not only thought about this, he also considered more, that is, if Germany wins the Middle East, Germany will not only get these, but he will also get a springboard to expand its power to the northeast of African continent, as well as South Asia and other regions.
This may also pose a new threat to Britain's world interests in the future. After all, in the northeast of African continent, Britain also has a Somaliland colony and a Egypt. Between these two colonies, France's Djibouti colony is almost negligible because its area is too small, but the area of Red Sea colonies of Italy is not small.
This also means that if we continue to expand to the west coast of the Red Sea after winning the Middle East, Axis powers will be able to cover the entire northeastern part of African continent in an instant.
From Egypt to the east of Ethiopian Highlands, to the coast of the Red Sea, and to Gulf of Aden, France wants to rely on the small Djibouti, but it obviously cannot stop the expansion of Axis powers.
By then, the entire Red Sea will truly become the "inland sea" of Axis powers.
Then there is South Asia, which is obviously the place that the UK values most. If Germany gains a firm foothold in the Middle East and continues to expand in the direction of South Asia, this will obviously be another huge blow to the UK.
Although India is now geographically threatened by the Soviet Union and East Africa, East Africa has not shown any greed for India over the years. Britain has become accustomed to getting along with East Africa in India.
Although the Soviet Union was somewhat overbearing, Britain was also capable of suppressing it. After all, it was not just British who feared the Soviet Union, but also the princes and nobles of India!
In this way, East Africa and the Soviet Union, in the current British view, at least pose no threat to India's security, but Germany! Chamberlain obviously did not dare to draw conclusions easily.
Therefore, Chamberlain did not dare to use Britain's interests in Middle Eastern region to trade with Adolf easily. He wanted to listen to the German guy's specific demands first.
Adolf said, "If Germany can confirm its dominant position in Middle Eastern region, Germany will be able to completely suppress the Soviet Union geographically, so that most of the Soviet Union's borders will be under pressure from the European free world."
Adolf did not talk about Germany's external expansion at all, but held high the banner of "anti-Soviet". This allowed him to stand on the commanding heights of European morality. At least for the so-called European liberal world, anti-Soviet is politically correct.
Germany's suppression of the Soviet Union was naturally the most "correct" European policy. Therefore, for the common enemy of the Soviet Union, it became logical for Germany to enter the Middle Eastern region and thus form a military and geographical encirclement of the Soviet Union from the southern part of the Soviet Union.
Germany's remarks really put Chamberlain into a dilemma. There is no doubt that letting Germany and Soviet Union go to war is what the UK wants to see most.
However, is it worth pushing forward this matter and exchanging Britain's own interests in the Middle East for Germany's offensive against the Soviet Union?
This is what Chamberlain has to think carefully about, and which interests and areas should be used to make concessions to Germany while minimizing British losses. This is a headache for him.